The Portage between the Little Indian Sioux River and Lower Pauness Lake (Devil's Cascade)

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Portaging Direction: From Lower Pauness Lake to the Little Indian Sioux River

You can see how perfect this landing is... There is another landing (rougher than this one) that will save you about 4-rods of portaging distance just down the channel.

Near this muddy spot, along a wide section of the portage, is a four way intersection. If you go left you will soon come to BWCA Campsite 1994. If you go right, you will head up a spur trail that leads to the Sioux-Hustler Trail, a roughly 30 mile loop trail that runs through the Boundary Waters. Continuing straight ahead along the portage will get you to the Little Indian Sioux River downstream of Devil's Cascade. Turning around and heading back along the portage takes you to Lower Pauness Lake.

This portage is easier going from Lower Pauness Lake to the Little Indian Sioux River because you are going downhill most of the time, especially at the end as you approach the river. There is a side trail on the left that leads to a clearing with good views down into the Devil's Cascade. Near the middle of the portage is BWCA Campsite 1994. This campsite is to the left of the portage and situated on a high overlook next to the river. There is another trail here that goes to the right. This is a spur trail of the Sioux-Hustler Trail. There are a few rocky sections and a squishy spot or two, but most of the trail is fairly easy walking.

The landing on this end of the portage is almost as good as the one at the other end.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: LITTLE INDIAN SIOUX RIVER

Portaging Direction: From the Little Indian Sioux River to Lower Pauness Lake

Well maintained pull out.

View of the Devil's Cascade. This image was taken on August 1, 2022 and the water was relatively low (summer levels).

The portage in this direction is more difficult. Soon after leaving the Little Indian Sioux River, the portage heads up a fairly steep hill and it keeps climbing and climbing. After the path levels out, you soon come to a four way intersection. To the right is BWCA Campsite 1994. To the left is a spur trail leading to the Sioux-Hustler Trail. Continuing will take you the rest of the way to Lower Pauness Lake. There is a short trail to the right as you get closer to the lake that leads to an open area in the forest that overlooks the Devil's Cascade.

Awesome boat landing on Lower Pauness Lake. You can save about 4-rods of portaging distance by using a lower quality landing just up the trail, closer to the head of the Devil's Cascade.

Now that you've made it over the portage, visit: LOWER PAUNESS LAKE

Return to the BWCA Portage List